PUBLIC NOTICE

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH COUNCIL
TUESDAY, JUNE 9TH, 2026
CHAIRMAN ROBERT ARCURI
VICE-CHAIRWOMAN TAMMY HOUSTON

The Council of the Parish of St. John the Baptist Parish, State of Louisiana, met in Regular Session in the St. John the Baptist Parish Government Complex Chambers, LaPlace, Louisiana on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

CALL TO ORDER:

ROLL CALL: Lennix Madere, Jr., Councilman-at-Large, Div. A, Michael Wright, Councilman-at-Large, Div. B, Virgie Johnson, Councilwoman District I, Warren Torres, Jr., Councilman District II, Tammy Houston, Councilwoman District III, Tyra Duhe-Griffin, Councilwoman District IV, Robert Arcuri, Councilman District V, Vernon Bailey, Sr., Councilman District VI, Dixie Ramirez, Councilwoman District VII

ABSENT: None

Councilman Wright led the Prayer and Councilwoman Houston led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Legal Counsel Keith Green, Jr. and Kennilyn Schmill were present.

PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (3 minutes per citizen)

P.J. Champagne, Dale St. Pierre, Adam Washington, Sr., Carolyn Applewhite, Alicia Crowell, Garrett Crowell, Jr., Kathy Gilmore, and James Nolan commented on Ordinance 26-34 and Ordinance 26-35.

CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of Minutes – May 26th, 2026, Council Meeting

MOTION: Councilwoman Houston moved and Councilwoman Johnson seconded the motion to approve consent agenda consisting of Approval of Minutes – May 26th, 2026, Council Meeting. The motion passed with 8 yeas and 1 abstaining (Torres).

REPORTS:

President’s Report

PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE(S):

26-31(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of fiber optics along Chartres Court by municipal address 122 Chartres Court, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19551) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of fiber optics along Bamboo Road by municipal address 100 Bamboo Road, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19552) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilman Wright moved and Councilwoman Ramirez seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-31. The motion passed unanimously.
26-32(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance that amends Ord. No. 18-31, Sec. 113-305 (2) of the St. John the Baptist Parish Code of Ordinances, to add subsection “x” which shall read as follows: The St. John the Baptist Parish Council hereby ordains: Sec. 113–305. Permitted Uses. The following are permitted uses in the Commercial District One (C–1): (2) Retail sales of 3,000 square feet or less of sales area including the following and similar uses: x. Pharmacy to dispense prescribed marijuana for therapeutic use, pursuant to Act No. 261 of the 2015 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature. In accordance with state law, no marijuana pharmacy shall locate within a fifteen (15) miles radius of another marijuana pharmacy. (R. Arcuri/V. Johnson)

MOTION: Councilwoman Johnson moved and Councilwoman Houston seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-32. The motion passed with 6 yeas (Duhe-Griffin, Houston, Johnson, Bailey, Madere and Wright) and 3 against (Ramirez, Arcuri, Torres).
26-33(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance that amends Sec. 113-308 of the St. John the Baptist Parish Code of Ordinances, to add a prohibited use, which shall read as follows: The St. John the Baptist Parish Council hereby ordains: Sec. 113–308. Prohibited Uses. All uses not specifically permitted or by reasonable implication permitted herein, including manufactured buildings and any retailer permitted to sell marijuana, cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or any derivative thereof for any use. (R. Arcuri/V. Johnson)

MOTION: Councilwoman Johnson moved and Councilman Bailey seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-33. The motion passed with 7 yeas and 2 against (Ramirez, Torres)

26-34(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the request to rezone Lot 33, of the Godchaux Community Subdivision from the Residential District One [R-1] to the Residential District Three [R-3] located at 511 Oak Allee Drive, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZR-1771) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

P.J. Champagne commented on Ordinance 26-34.

MOTION: Councilman Bailey moved and Councilman Madere seconded the motion to DENY Ordinance 26-34. The motion passed with 8 yeas and 1 against (Torres).

26-35(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the request to rezone Lot 268-A, of the Godchaux Community Subdivision from the Residential District One [R-1] to the Residential District Three [R-3] located at 1009 Madewood Road,LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZR-1772) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

Adam Washington and Dale St. Pierre commented on Ordinance 26-35.

MOTION: Councilman Bailey moved and Councilman Madere seconded the motion to DENY Ordinance 26-35. The motion passed unanimously.

26-36(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the request to rezone Lot A of an undesignated Subdivision from the Commercial District Three [C-3] and Residential District One [R-1] to the Residential District One [R-1] located on East 22nd Street, between the Kansas City Southern Railroad and the Illinois Central Railroad Reserve, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZR-1776) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Houston moved and Councilman Madere seconded the motion to DENY Ordinance 26-36. The motion passed unanimously.

26-37(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the resubdivision of undesignated lots of the Galva Manchac Subdivision, located at 200 Alligator Lane, LaPlace/Akers, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZS-1468) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Ramirez moved and Councilman Wright seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-37. The motion passed unanimously.

26-38(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the resubdivision of Lots C-1, C-2, and C-3 of the La Caze Subdivision, located at 6059 Highway 18, Wallace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZS-1469) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Johnson moved and Councilman Madere seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-38. The motion passed unanimously.

26-39(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the preliminary resubdivision of Lot A of an undesignated Subdivision, located at 1851 Highway 18, Edgard, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZS-1470) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Johnson moved and Councilman Madere seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-39. The motion passed unanimously.

26-40 (Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the resubdivision of Tract 1 and Tract 2 of the Victorin Haydel Tract, located at 2105 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZS-1472) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Houston moved and Councilman Bailey seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-40. The motion passed with 8 yeas and 1 abstaining (Torres).

26-41(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance approving the resubdivision of the remainder of the Alice B Gendron Tract, located adjacent to 735 Highway 18, Lucy, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (PZS-1473) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

MOTION: Councilwoman Johnson moved and Councilwoman Ramirez seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-41. The motion passed with 8 yeas and 1 against (Torres).

26-42(Public Hearing Held) An ordinance to impose a twelve (12) month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for subdivision and/or rezoning, pursuant to authority granted in Article III, Section A7 (b) and (c)(xi) – Powers and Duties of the Parish Council – of the St. John the Baptist Parish Home (J. Hotard/K. Green)

MOTION: Councilwoman Houston moved and Councilman Bailey seconded the motion to approve Ordinance 26-42. The motion passed with 7 yeas and 2 against (Duhe-Griffin, Torres).

NEW BUSINESS

Jaclyn Hotard/Peter Montz – Resolution – R26-78 – A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to advertise and solicit bids for the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Demolition Project

MOTION: Councilman Wright moved and Councilman Bailey seconded the motion to approve Resolution R26-78. A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to advertise and solicit bids for the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Demolition Project. WHEREAS, Article IV, Section H (2) and (5) of the St. John the Baptist Parish Home Rule Charter permits the Parish Council to adopt a resolution when authorizing a designated person(s) to execute a previously approved contract on its behalf and/or to perform a ministerial act related to the administrative business of the Parish; and

WHEREAS, project includes demolishing the existing Woodland WWTP facility located at the end of Woodland Drive in LaPlace which is the final step in the Woodland Consolidation Plan; and, WHEREAS, the estimated cost of this project is $2,201,706 and will be funded through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Clean Water State Revolving Loan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist Parish Council, that St. John the Baptist Parish is hereby authorized to advertise and solicit bids for the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Demolition Project. The motion passed unanimously.

Jaclyn Hotard/Peter Montz – Resolution – R26-79 - A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish President to execute Change Order No. 4 with Command Construction, LLC for the Cambridge #2, Cambridge #3 and Ned Duhe Lift Stations Rehabilitation Project

MOTION: Councilman Bailey moved and Councilwoman Houston seconded the motion to approve Resolution R26-79. A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish President to execute Change Order No. 4 with Command Construction, LLC for the Cambridge #2, Cambridge #3, and Ned Duhe Lift Stations Rehabilitation Project. WHEREAS, Article IV, Section H (2) and (5) of the St. John the Baptist Parish Home Rule Charter permits the Parish Council to adopt a resolution when authorizing a designated person(s) to execute a previously approved contract on its behalf and/or to perform a ministerial act related to the administrative business of the Parish; and WHEREAS, Change Order No. 4 increases the original Agreement in the amount of $12,318.03 and an additional five (5) calendar days; and, WHEREAS, the increase is due to the existing conduit alignment that presented an unforeseen conflict with the location of the valve pit installation that would have resulted in preventing the electrical line from being successfully pulled through the conduit; and, WHEREAS, this change order includes the installation of the electrical conduit by boring to resolve the unforeseen construction conflict; and, WHEREAS, the project is being funded through the LDEQ Clean Water State Revolving Loan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist Parish Council, that Parish President Jaclyn Hotard is hereby duly authorized and empowered on behalf of the St. John the Baptist Parish Council to execute Change Order No. 4 between St. John the Baptist Parish and Command Construction, LLC. The motion passed unanimously.

Jaclyn Hotard/Peter Montz – Resolution – R26-80 - A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to settle and pay the April 28th, 2025, property damage claim to Thuy Pham of 716 Fagot Loop Court, LaPlace, LA 70068

MOTION: Councilwoman Ramirez moved and Councilwoman Houston seconded the motion to approve Resolution 26-80. A Resolution authorizing St. John the Baptist Parish to settle and pay the April 28th. 2025, property damage claim to Thuy Pham of 716 Fagot Loop Court, LaPlace, LA 70068. WHEREAS, Article IV, Section H (2) and (5) of the St. John the Baptist Parish Home Rule Charter permits the Parish Council to adopt a resolution when authorizing a designated person(s) to execute a previously approved contract on its behalf and/or to perform a ministerial act related to the administrative business of the Parish; and, WHEREAS, Louisiana Claims Administrators (LoCA) recommended, and Legal Counsel approved the settlement amount of $15,000; and,
WHEREAS, the settlement will be funded through the Settlement line item of the Public Works Department Budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist Parish Council, that St. John the Baptist Parish is hereby authorized to settle and pay the April 28, 2025, Property Damage Claim to Thuy Pham of 716 Fagot Loop Court, LaPlace, LA 70068. The motion passed unanimously.

INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

26-43 An ordinance approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of fiber optics along Derek Lane by municipal address 25 Derek Lane, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19579) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of fiber optics along Cinclair Loop by municipal address 1817 Cinclair Loop, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19661) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of fiber optics along Ridgewood Drive by municipal address 13 Ridgewood Drive, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19662) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

26-44 An ordinance approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines along Southdown Road, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19707) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines along South Sugar Ridge Drive, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19708) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

26-45 An ordinance approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines along West 2nd Street, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19730) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines along St. Andrews Boulevard, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19731) (J. Hotard/ R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines in Live Oak Landing Subdivision, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19732) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

And approving excavation within Parish Rights-of-way for the installation of gas lines along Sycamore Loop, LaPlace, St. John the Baptist Parish, LA (Permit No. 19733) (J. Hotard/R. Rome)

ADJOURNMENT

At 7:04 PM, Councilman Madere moved and Councilman Bailey seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

/s/Robert Arcuri
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

/s/Ranshawa Sylvain
COUNCIL CLERK
The cost of this notice is $554.22.

L’Observateur:
July 1 and 8, 2026
PROCEEDINGS 6.9.26